Bitch Media - get involvedhttp://bitchmagazine.org/taxonomy/term/974/0
enCome Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are! Feminist Coming Out Day Q&Ahttp://bitchmagazine.org/post/feminist-coming-out-day-qa
<p>As you may know, this month marks <a href="http://feministcomingoutday.com/">Feminist Coming Out Day 2011</a>, a holiday which encourages awareness of issues affecting the feminist community. We're super excited and honored to be a part of this year's festivities, and we recently spoke with organizers <a href="http://feministcomingoutday.com/about">Lena Chen and Abby Sun</a> to find out more. Read on for their answers!</p>
<p><b>Tell us a bit about Feminist Coming Out Day (FCOD). What does the project entail?</b></p>
<p>Abby: Feminist Coming Out Day is a campaign to spread awareness about gender equality. It was started at Harvard in 2010 by a queer students organization and a feminist group as a way of encouraging conversation about gender and demystifying feminism on campus. We made shirts and buttons that said "This is what a feminist looks like" and exhibited photo portraits and testimonials in an exhibition called the Feminist Portrait Project.</p>
<p>This year we wanted to bring FCOD to schools across the U.S. A lot of feminist blogs have been supportive of FCOD (which we're very grateful for), and we reached out to many colleges and schools. The majority of schools have found us, though! To support these schools and everyone who wants to participate, on feministcomingoutday.com there are <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/This-Is-What-A-Feminist-Looks-Like-Feminist-Coming-Out-Day-2011">links to buy</a> the "This is what a feminist looks like" shirts, buttons, and stickers, and information for FCOD events around the U.S. Anyone can and every feminist should submit a portrait and a statement for our online Feminist Portrait Project. In support of feminist media, proceeds from the merchandise will go to Bitch! <i>(ed.'s note: THANKS!)</i></p>
<p><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5548007370_2367a5077f.jpg" alt="FCOD portrait" /><br />
<i>A portrait from the project. Submit yours <a href="http://feministcomingoutday.com/submit">here</a>!</i></p>
<p><b>Why do you think it's important for people to "come out" as feminist?</b></p>
<p>Abby: When the label "feminist" is abstract, it's easy to vilify feminists and believe that the feminist movement is irrelevant. Putting a face to feminism is powerful and empowering. When young people "come out" as feminists, it shows that young people believe the movement to be engaging and relevant today, and that they too have a stake in gender equality. When people of color identify as feminists, it pushes back against the portrayal of feminists as a white woman's movement. And so on. When the face of feminism is diverse, compassionate, and inspiring, it shows that feminism is diverse, compassionate, and inspiring—that there are indeed many feminisms and feminists in every community.</p>
<p><b>What is your ultimate goal with the project?</b></p>
<p>Lena: Our initial goal was a pretty simple one: to replicate on other campuses the amazing vibe and energy that Harvard students experienced when we did the pilot version of Feminist Coming Out Day. We've been blown away by the response, which has really exceeded our expectations, so perhaps it's time to reassess and come up with even more ambitious goals for next time.</p>
<p><b>Was there a pivotal moment in your own life when you came out as a feminist? What happened?</b></p>
<p>Lena: My own feminist awakening happened during my sophomore year in college. I started writing <a href="http://sexandtheivy.com/">Sex And The Ivy</a>, a blog about my sex life and my experiences as a Harvard undergrad. In retrospect, I should have anticipated the incredibly sexist backlash. At the time, however, I really didn't think that anything I blogged was terribly controversial, and as a straight, cisgendered woman, nothing about my sexuality is even outside the norm. I quickly learned that even in this day and age, transparency about sex will make you a target for slurs and insults, which have little to do with your prose and everything to do with the fact that attitudes about female sexuality remain quite conservative. It took me a long time to learn how to deal with the criticism I received (both on campus and from the press), and that process is what led to my identifying as a feminist.</p>
<p><b>Everyone here at Bitch is really excited to be the charitable partner for FCOD this year. When and why did you decide to have a charitable component to FCOD?</b></p>
<p>Lena: We knew we wanted to make t-shirts available, since they were really popular when we did Harvard Feminist Coming Out Day in 2010. But if we were going to go through the trouble of getting them made and sending them out, then we figured that all this time and energy should go toward a good cause. That's why we decided that we should give away the proceeds to a feminist organization that represents the sort of movement we hope to build—one that's inclusive of the multitude of voices within women's rights.</p>
<p><b>Are there any events coming up that our readers can participate in? How can people get more involved?</b></p>
<p>Abby: Check out our <a href="http://feministcomingoutday.com/events">events page</a>, which we will keep updating with events happening on different college campuses throughout March! Some schools had spring break during the week of 3/8, so there will be more FCOD events event though our official day of celebration has passed. We love it when people hold their own FCOD events at their schools and in their communities—whether it's a t-shirt making party, a dessert discussion, or general awareness-raising. We also still have shirts, buttons, and stickers left. If anyone has an idea or questions, please email us at <a href="mailto:feministcomingoutday@gmail.com">feministcomingoutday@gmail.com</a></p>
<p><b>How do you see this project continuing beyond the end of March? What's next for FCOD?</b></p>
<p>Lena: We've learned so much and met a ton of really enthusiastic student activists as a result of organizing this year's campaign. We want to make this project even bigger and better now that we have momentum going and allies on our side.</p>
<p>Abby: <a href="http://feministcomingoutday.com/">FeministComingOutDay.com</a> and the online <a href="http://feministcomingoutday.com/submit">Feminist Portrait Project</a> will remain up, and we encourage everyone to continue to submit to that project. We can't be happier with the positive response to FCOD and are excited to coordinate FCOD again next year!</p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/feminist-coming-out-day-qa#commentsFCODFeminist Coming Out Dayget involvedBitch HQMon, 21 Mar 2011 20:34:47 +0000Kelsey Wallace9554 at http://bitchmagazine.orgApply for the Bitch Youth Leadership Council!http://bitchmagazine.org/post/apply-for-the-bitch-youth-leadership-council
<p>We at Bitch Media, the organization that publishes <i>Bitch</i> magazine, are currently accepting applications for our <a href="/leadership-council#at">youth leadership council! </a><br /></p>
<p><center><img src="/sites/default/files/mblc.jpg" width="490" height="202" alt="mblc.jpg" /></center><br /><br />
We started the Leadership Council as a way to engage and involve young people in Bitch Media and feminism--a group of people currently not as involved as many of our readers and followers, but crucial for the survival of our organization and the movement. As we continue to grow and expand our programming, the Leadership Council members will play a crucial role as fundraisers, community liaisons, spokespeople, and more. The Leadership Council is a program of Bitch Media, which publishes <i>Bitch</i> magazine, and one of a variety of ways fans and supporters can be involved in the future of this organization. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Leadership Council members are approximately between the ages of 17 and 25, actively involved in their communities, well-versed in both old- and new-school forms of social networking, and--above all--looking to bring their unique passions and skills to furthering the work of Bitch Media. If you fit the bill--or know someone who does--<a href="/leadership-council">read more!</a> Applications are due Dec. 1 and can be submitted as either a PDF or a Word document.</p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/apply-for-the-bitch-youth-leadership-council#commentsbitchget involvedyouth leadership councilDigiBitchThu, 29 Oct 2009 19:39:01 +0000Kjerstin Johnson2424 at http://bitchmagazine.orgCalling all interns!http://bitchmagazine.org/post/calling-all-interns
<p>Calling all interns!</p>
<p>Are you interested in a life of adventure and excitement? Do you care about feminist politics and popular culture? (You are reading this blog, so you probably do.) If you said yes, then how about applying for an internship here at Bitch? </p>
<p>We are currently on the prowl for a fabulous intern to work in publishing community outreach here in our office in beautiful NE Portland. </p>
<p>Although we remain unpaid, Bitch interns do get the chance to learn everything there is to know about the magazine from the inside out. Plus, it's fun! For more information on this and other Bitch internships, click here: <a href="/about/get-involved" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://bitchmagazine.org/about/get-involved</a>. We are hiring on a first come, first served basis and interviews are happening as we speak. Apply today!
</p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/calling-all-interns#commentsget involvedinternshipsLove / ShoveWed, 29 Oct 2008 22:33:23 +0000Kelsey Wallace861 at http://bitchmagazine.org